Finally, after months of preparation the day finallyarrived. At the airport! Anything forgotten or not done no longer mattered. We’reon HOLIDAYS. The 14 hour flight that I so dreaded, turned out not so badafter all. Both the take-off and landing was smooth and the plane relativelycomfortable – I even managed to sleep a bit. There is a lot to be said for thenew A380’s. Stan got in 3 movies and I two – Both musicals.Dubai airport! We had to...

A few things worth remembering:Best breakfast - Michaelangilo Hotel MilanBest sunset - Cinque TerreBest meal - Stan thought the raw fish entree in Venice, I thought the mussels in Hong KongBest granita - Eustachio piazza RomeBest overall accommodation - La Torretta ManarolaBest pillows - Intercontinental Stanford Hong KongFavourite town - Rothenburg de Tauber or VeniceBest place to swim - Cinque terreHotel with best view- Meersburg, Manarola or Luzern. They were ...

All the research has been done. Flights and trains paid for. Accommodation booked. Even purchased packing accessories. Now I just want to go!!